Obituary for Dennis Russell Francis
Dennis Russell Francis, age 82, of Midland, Michigan, passed away on Saturday, August 27, 2022 in Saline, Michigan.
Denny was born on September 10, 1939 and raised in Midland, Michigan with his parents, Lynn and Bertha “Bert” (Goodshaw) Francis, and with his brother, David Francis. After high school, Denny attended college classes at Central Michigan University and later enlisted in the United States Army. During his deployment, Denny was stationed in Germany where he was able to explore a bit of Europe.
He relocated to Detroit, Michigan after being honorably discharged and began working at General Motors building in Detroit, then at the Tech Center and then later at the Pontiac Phoenix Center. The 48 years of employment with GM provided Dennis with many long lasting friendships that continued into his retirement. Dennis was introduced to Valeria Pescari, a switchboard operator also working at GM, through his friend, Hal, who was dating Valerie's good friend, Virginia. The two married on July 20,1968 and shared 52 incredible years of partnership together. After their wedding, Denny and Valerie moved to the greater Detroit area where they welcomed their daughter, Debora Francis.
After the death of his mother, Dennis inherited the home on Sanford Lake in Sanford, Michigan where he and Val relocated to from their home in Troy, Michigan. The lake home brought their family many joyful memories where they enjoyed being together on their pontoon boat. Denny continued his fathers’ tradition of participating in the Sanford Lake Fourth of July boat parade and fireworks. He took pride in caring for the landscape of their family home and began a collection of over 150 varieties of daylilies. Denny took care to document information about the daylilies and was proud to maintain an almost constant succession of blooms from spring to fall.
He enjoyed gardening, Great Lakes Loon baseball, theater, concerts, and shows with Valerie, family, and their friends. After retirement, they bought a condo in Venice, Florida where they spent winters participating in activities, events, and traveling with their friends.
The Francis family enjoyed their annual August trip to Traverse City, Michigan where they would relax along the bay. He loved listening to jazz music, The Beatles, and enjoyed a good murder/mystery novel.
Denny was preceded in death by his loving wife, Valerie Francis; his biological father, Russ Payne; his parents, Lynn and Bert Francis; his mother-in-law, Mary Pescari; and his cherished 19-year old cat, Kirby.
He will be deeply missed by his daughter, Debbie Francis; his brother, David Francis; his brother-in-law and sister-in-law, John and Jill Pescari; his nieces, Jayme Pescari and Julia Pescari; as well as many loving cousins and friends.
Private cremation services have taken place. A Celebration of Life will be held at a later date in Sanford.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to the Parkinson’s Foundation, 200 SE 1st Street, Suite 800, Miami, FL, 33131.
Denny was born on September 10, 1939 and raised in Midland, Michigan with his parents, Lynn and Bertha “Bert” (Goodshaw) Francis, and with his brother, David Francis. After high school, Denny attended college classes at Central Michigan University and later enlisted in the United States Army. During his deployment, Denny was stationed in Germany where he was able to explore a bit of Europe.
He relocated to Detroit, Michigan after being honorably discharged and began working at General Motors building in Detroit, then at the Tech Center and then later at the Pontiac Phoenix Center. The 48 years of employment with GM provided Dennis with many long lasting friendships that continued into his retirement. Dennis was introduced to Valeria Pescari, a switchboard operator also working at GM, through his friend, Hal, who was dating Valerie's good friend, Virginia. The two married on July 20,1968 and shared 52 incredible years of partnership together. After their wedding, Denny and Valerie moved to the greater Detroit area where they welcomed their daughter, Debora Francis.
After the death of his mother, Dennis inherited the home on Sanford Lake in Sanford, Michigan where he and Val relocated to from their home in Troy, Michigan. The lake home brought their family many joyful memories where they enjoyed being together on their pontoon boat. Denny continued his fathers’ tradition of participating in the Sanford Lake Fourth of July boat parade and fireworks. He took pride in caring for the landscape of their family home and began a collection of over 150 varieties of daylilies. Denny took care to document information about the daylilies and was proud to maintain an almost constant succession of blooms from spring to fall.
He enjoyed gardening, Great Lakes Loon baseball, theater, concerts, and shows with Valerie, family, and their friends. After retirement, they bought a condo in Venice, Florida where they spent winters participating in activities, events, and traveling with their friends.
The Francis family enjoyed their annual August trip to Traverse City, Michigan where they would relax along the bay. He loved listening to jazz music, The Beatles, and enjoyed a good murder/mystery novel.
Denny was preceded in death by his loving wife, Valerie Francis; his biological father, Russ Payne; his parents, Lynn and Bert Francis; his mother-in-law, Mary Pescari; and his cherished 19-year old cat, Kirby.
He will be deeply missed by his daughter, Debbie Francis; his brother, David Francis; his brother-in-law and sister-in-law, John and Jill Pescari; his nieces, Jayme Pescari and Julia Pescari; as well as many loving cousins and friends.
Private cremation services have taken place. A Celebration of Life will be held at a later date in Sanford.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to the Parkinson’s Foundation, 200 SE 1st Street, Suite 800, Miami, FL, 33131.